Managing the operational state of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A network system facilitates management of the operational states of transportation vehicles. Within a system environment, the network system also coordinates transport service between service providers operating the transportation vehicles and service requestors operating client devices. A transportation vehicle includes a processor or computing device that can determine and change operational states of the transportation vehicle. The transportation vehicle communicates operational states to one or more devices in the environment. Operational states can be communicated as vehicle datasets using a communication port of the transportation vehicle. The network system and client devices can act to enhance transport service using vehicle datasets. For example, the network system and/or client devices can manage an operational state by changing the current operational state off the transportation vehicle to a different operational state. Transport service can be enhanced at various points during the transport service coordination.

FIELD

This description relates generally to obtaining information regardingthe operational state of a transportation vehicle and more particularlyleveraging that information to enhance service coordinationapplications.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Coordinating high-quality services between service requestors andservice providers using a network system within a system environment canbe a challenging problem. In particular, with so many variables that canaffect the quality of service coordination within the environment,ensuring high-quality service coordination for all parties participatingin the service coordination is complex and error-prone. For example,something as simple as a transportation vehicle being too hot for aservice requestor during transport service can negatively affect theservice coordination experience.

In many circumstances, a service provider and service requestorcommunicate with one another during service coordination to facilitatehigh quality transport service. For example, the service provider andservice requestor can discuss a temperature that would be comfortable toboth. Unfortunately, in some cases, communication between the serviceprovider and service requestor is not always feasible and does notalways facilitate high-quality transport service.

SUMMARY

Client devices and/or a network system facilitate enhanced transportservice as service providers coordinate transport service with servicerequestors in an operating environment. Generally, the client devicesand/or the network system leverage vehicle datasets to enhance transportservice. Vehicle datasets are obtained from a transportation vehicleoperated by a service provider in an operating environment. As anexample, vehicle datasets are obtained from an on-board diagnosticscommunication port communicatively coupled to a client device of theservice provider. Vehicle datasets may be communicated between clientdevices and the network system via a network. A vehicle dataset maydescribe a variety of information describing the operational state ofthe transportation vehicle, including: vehicle make, vehicle model,speed, acceleration, vehicle settings, passengers, etc.

Client devices and/or the network system can enhance transport serviceat any number of times when client devices and the network systemcoordinate transport service. For example, transport service can beenhance before transport service assignment, in-route to a pickuplocation, on-trip from a pickup location to a destination location,after concluding transport service, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system environment for enhancingtransport service by leveraging vehicle datasets describing operationalcharacteristics of a transportation vehicle, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration a network system in the system environment,according to one example environment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a client device in the system environment,according to one example environment, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a transportation vehicle in the systemenvironment, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a table of example operational characteristics that can beincluded in a vehicle dataset, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an example method of enhancing transport service by leveragingvehicle datasets describing the operational characteristics of atransportation vehicle, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an interaction diagram illustrating an example pre-assignmenttransport service enhancement, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an interaction diagram illustrating an example in-routetransport service enhancement according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an interaction diagram illustrating an example on-triptransport service enhancement, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example computer that may be used inthe system environment.

The figures depict various embodiment for purposes of illustration only.One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to various embodimentsby way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the followingdiscussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and methodsdisclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives thatmay be employed without departing from the principles of what isclaimed.

I. System Environment

Network systems facilitate service coordination between two partiesoperating client devices within a system environment. For example, anetwork system may be used to coordinate a transportation servicebetween a service requestor (e.g., a user operating a client device) anda service provider (e.g., a user operating a client device) via anetwork.

Service providers and network systems can be configured to utilizecapabilities of service providers and their transportation vehicles toprovide additional services and functionality. For example, in a systemenvironment where a service provider operates a transportation vehicleincluding a communication port that can access vehicle datasetsdescribing the operational state of the transportation vehicle, anetwork system can leverage the vehicle datasets to enhance the servicesprovided by service provider.

II. Service Coordination

FIG. 1 is an example system environment 100 that illustrates a networksystem 120, client devices 110, and a transportation vehicle 130 thatenable service coordination via a network 140, according to oneembodiment. FIG. 2 gives a more detailed view of modules within networksystem 120, FIG. 3 gives a more detailed view of modules within a clientdevice 110 (e.g., service requestor client device 110A and serviceprovider client device 110B), and FIG. 4 gives a more detailed view ofmodules within a transportation vehicle 130, according to some exampleembodiments. Some embodiments of network system 120, client devices 110,and transportation vehicle 130 have different modules than thosedescribed herein. Similarly, the functions can be distributed among themodules in a different manner than is described herein.

Network system 120 enables service coordination in the environment 100between client devices 110. Users of network system 120 may includeproviders that provide a service to other users. In an example use case,a provider operates a transportation vehicle 130 to transport a userfrom a first location (e.g., pickup location) to a second location(e.g., a destination location). In some cases the transportation vehicle130 may be autonomous. Other types of service include, for example,delivery of goods (e.g., mail, packages, or consumable items) orservices. Although the embodiments herein for facilitating servicecoordination are described with respect to a transport service, theembodiments herein can be applied to any type of service that requires aservice coordination via a network system 120.

As an example, network system 120 enables coordinating transport servicebetween users of client devices 110 within the environment 100. In thecontext of the description, an operator of a transportation vehicle 130(i.e., the service provider) provides the service of transporting aperson (i.e., the service requestor) to a destination requested by theperson. In one embodiment, transportation vehicle 130 includes allvehicles such as cars and motorcycles, as well as public transportationvehicles 130 such as trains, light rail, buses, etc. In some cases, thetransportation vehicle 130 can be outfitted with a sensor suite thatallows the user of client device 110 to obtain information about theroad network, the environment 100, and the operational state of thetransportation vehicle 130 as the transportation vehicle 130 traversesthe road network.

Further, a client device 110 can correspond to a mobile computingdevice, such as a smartphone. In some cases, a client device 110corresponds to an onboard computing system of an autonomoustransportation vehicle 130. Network system 120 can also correspond to aset of servers and can operate with or as part of another system thatimplements network services. Network system 120 and client devices 110comprise a number of “modules,” which refers to hardware componentsand/or computational logic for providing the specified functionality.That is, a module can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/orsoftware (e.g., a hardware server comprising computational logic), otherembodiments can include additional modules, can distribute functionalitybetween modules, can attribute functionality to more or fewer modules,can be implemented as a standalone program or as part of a network ofprograms, and can be loaded into memory executable by processors.

In one embodiment, the transportation of a person from a pickup locationto a destination location is referred to as a trip or a transportservice. Referring to FIG. 2, routing module 210 of network system 120calculates a route from the pickup location to the destination locationalong a set of road segments within the environment 100 based on ahistorical map of the road segments within the environment 100. In somecases routing module 210 can calculate a route from the current locationof a service provider to a pickup location.

Generally, routing module 210 calculates transaction costs for transportservices and coordinates those transport services. A transaction cost isa monetary payment from a service requestor to a service provider inexchange for the service provider transporting the service requestor toa destination location. Routing module 210 may calculate the transactioncost for a transport service based on the distance traveled along theroute during the trip (and/or based on a duration of the trip, anyapplicable tolls, fees, etc.). Routing module 210 determines thedistance traveled during the transport service using geographicinformation (e.g., telematics data) received from client devices (e.g.,such as after completion of the transport service). In some example,other modules within the environment 100 can determine the distancetraveled during the transport service. Further, other modulesinformation from other modules may be used in determining transactioncosts for a transport service.

Network system 120 receives (e.g., periodically) geographic informationfrom a client device 110 included in a transportation vehicle 130 as thetransportation vehicle 130 moves its position. The geographicinformation includes geographic points that describe a trip of thetransportation vehicle 130. In one embodiment, the geographicinformation is global positioning system (GPS) information. Throughoutthe description, geographic information is referred to as telematicsdata, but the description herein can be applied to any other type ofgeographic coordinate system.

As shown in FIG. 1, network system 120 is in communication with aservice provider client device 110B and the service requestor device110A via a network(s) 140. In one embodiment, the network 140 is theInternet or any combination of a LAN, a MAN, a WAN, a mobile, wired orwireless network, a private network, or a virtual private network. Whileonly a single client device 110A and a single service requestor device110A are shown in FIG. 1, any number of client devices 110 can be incommunication with network system 120 via the network 140. Further,while described as a service requestor device 110A and a serviceprovider client device 110B, any client device 110 within theenvironment 100 can include functionality for being a service requestoror a service provider.

FIG. 3 illustrates a client device 110, according to one exampleembodiment. A client device 110 is an electronic device (e.g., asmartphone) that can interact with network system 120 over the network140. As described herein, client devices 110 for service requestors andservice providers are largely similar in that they can include anapplication 310 that facilitates transport service. The application 310includes a telematics module 320 and a service enhancement module 330 tofacilitate an enhanced transport service. The client device 110 may alsoinclude a device datastore 340 for storing any relevant information thatcan facilitate providing an enhanced transport service.

When the client device 110 is a service requestor device 110A, theservice requestor device 110A is used by a person to request a transportservice from a pickup location to a destination location via a clientapplication 310 included in the service requestor device 110A.Application 310 allows the user of the service requestor device 110A tosubmit a transport service request, which network system 120 thenprocesses in order to select an operator of a transportation vehicle 130as a transport service provider.

According to examples, the transport service request may include (i) auser identifier (ID), (ii) a pickup location (e.g., a locationidentifier specified by the user or a location identifier of the currentposition of the service requestor device 110A as determined by atelematics module 320 included in the service requestor device 110A,(iii) a destination location, and/or (iv) a vehicle type. For example,the telematics module 320 uses sensors (e.g., a GPS receiver) includedin the service requestor device 110A to determine the position of theservice requestor device 110A at various instances in time. In oneembodiment, the current position of the service requestor device 110A isrepresented by a location identifier such as latitude and longitudecoordinates. The current position of the service requestor device 110Ais also associated with a time stamp indicating the time and the date inwhich the telematics module 320 measured the current position of theservice requestor device 110A. Alternatively, the pickup location of theservice requestor device 110A may be manually inputted into the servicerequestor device 110A by the user of the device, such as by selecting alocation on a map or in the form of an address including at least astreet number and street name.

The coordination service, which is implemented by network system 120and/or other servers or systems, can receive the transport servicerequest over the network 140 and can select a service provider for therequestor. In one example, the coordination service can (i) identify apool of service providers that are available to provide the requestedservice and satisfy one or more conditions (e.g., have the specifiedvehicle type, have sensor system, have a preferred route to the pickuplocation, and/or are within a predetermined distance or estimated traveltime away from the pickup location), (ii) select a service provider fromthe pool of service providers, and (iii) transmit an assignment requestto a service provider client device 110B. The invitation can include thepickup location so that the selected service provider can navigate tothe pickup location for initiating the transport service for therequestor. If the selected service provider accepts the assignmentrequest by providing input on the service provider client device 110B,application 310 transmits an assignment acceptance to network system120. Accepting the assignment can associate the service provider and theservice requestor for transport service and network system 120 cannotify the service requestor device 110A accordingly.

When the client device is a service provider client device, it is,generally, an electronic device (e.g., a smartphone) operated by aservice provider and located within the transportation vehicle 130 usedto complete trips. The service provider client device 110B includes aclient application 310. The client application 310 displays, on theservice provider client device 110B, information about a trip that theservice provider has agreed to provide, such as the pickup location,and/or navigation and/or mapping information instructing the serviceprovider to travel to the pickup location. As referred to herein, thepickup location may be the location of the service requestor device 110Aor a location specified by the user of the service requestor device110A. The destination location may be the location the service providerends transport service, or a location specified by the user of theservice requestor device 110A. The client application 310 may alsodisplay, on the service provider client device 110B, the destination forthe assigned trip if provided by the user of the service requestordevice.

Client devices 110 include a telematics module 320. Telematics module320 uses one or more sensors of client device 110 to identify telematicsdata from the service provider client device 110B and the servicerequestor device 110A. When client application 310 is a transportservice coordination application, telematics module 320 can identify GPSdata from the transportation vehicle 130 as the transportation vehicle130 moves along one or more road segments and nodes to complete a trip.The GPS data of the transportation vehicle 130 (or client device 110)represents the transportation vehicle 130's position at differentinstances in time during a trip. For example, at time T₁, client device110 can be at a particular GPS location, identified by a locationidentifier (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates) and a time stampindicative of the time and date when client device 110 measured itscurrent position. If the transportation vehicle 130 is moving, at timeT₂ client device 110 can be at a different GPS location. In this manner,client device 110 periodically measures the current position of thetransportation vehicle 130 (e.g., every three seconds, every fourseconds, etc.) and periodically provides GPS data that is representativeof the position of the transportation vehicle 130 over time to networksystem 120. Alternatively, client device 110 may provide GPS datawhenever new or updated measurements of the current position of thetransportation vehicle 130 are taken or are available.

FIG. 4 illustrates a transportation vehicle 130 that service providersmay use to provide transport service in system environment 100,according to one example embodiment. Transportation vehicle 130 includesa processor that facilitates determining (and/or changing) operationalstates of transportation vehicle 130. An operational state oftransportation vehicle is any information regarding the transportationvehicle that can be diagnosed via sensors included in transportationvehicle 130. In some cases, an operational state of transportationvehicle can be changed by the processor. That is, transportation vehicle130 is capable taking self-diagnostics about its operational state andtaking actions to change the operational state.

Operational states may be communicated to connected devices using anindustry standard digital communication port 410. Communication port 410may communicate operational states via a standardized set of diagnosticcodes to connected devices which identify operational states oftransportation vehicle 130. For example, transportation vehicle 130senses that the air pressure in a tire is too low, generates adiagnostic code for low tire pressure, and communication port 410transmits the diagnostic code to a connected device.

Similarly, communication port 410 can be used to change transportationvehicle 130 operational states. For example, communication port 410 canreceive an operational state from a connected device and implement thatoperational state using the processor of transportation vehicle 130. Insome cases, changing an operational state can be used to correct adiagnosed malfunction, but could be used to change operational states inany number of other circumstances. For example, communication port 410may receive an operational state to correct an engine timing andimplement that operational state in the engine of transportation vehicle130. In another example, communication port 410 may receive anoperational state for a radio (e.g., a radio station) of transportationvehicle 130 and implement the operational state on the radio inresponse.

FIG. 4 also illustrates an interface device 430 connected totransportation vehicle 130. Interface device 430 allows client device110 and network system 120 to communicate with transportation vehicle130 via network 140. However, in some examples, client device 110 andnetwork system 120 can communicate directly with transportation vehicle130 without interface device 430. In one example, the interface device430 is a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver connected to communication port410, but could be any other type of standardized transmitter/receiver.

FIG. 5 illustrates a table 500 that provides example operational statesof a transportation vehicle 130 that can be communicated viacommunication port 410 (“vehicle datasets” in aggregate). Vehicledatasets may be sent or received by any devices connected to atransportation vehicle 130 via communication port 410 using a signalingprotocol. As one example, the communication port 410 is an OBD-II portand vehicle datasets are communicated using the ISO 14230 KWP2000signaling protocol, but communication port 410 may be any othercommunication port 410 and use any other signaling protocol for vehicledatasets. Some vehicle datasets may be accessed from, or stored on, avehicle datastore 420.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a client device includes a serviceenhancement module 330D. Service enhancement module 330D regulatescommunication between a client device 110 and communication port 410.That is, service enhancement module allows communication of vehicledatasets between a transportation vehicle 130 and a requestor (e.g.,client device 110) via a network. In some examples, service enhancementmodule 330 regulates communication between interface device 430connected to communication port 410. For example, interface device 430may be a Bluetooth transmitter connected to the communication port 410and service enhancement module 330 may regulate communication of vehicledatasets with transportation vehicle 130 via a Bluetooth connection. Inother examples, service enhancement module 330 communicates vehicledatasets directly with transportation vehicle 130 via network 140without an interface device 430. For example, transportation vehicle 130may include a local wireless network. In this case, communication port410 manages vehicle dataset communication with connected client devices110 across network 140 (e.g., as a Wi-Fi radio).

Application 310 can also relay vehicle datasets received fromcommunication port 410 to network system 120 via network 140. Forexample, service enhancement module 330 receives vehicle datasets from aBluetooth transmitter connected to communication port 410 via aBluetooth connection. In response, service enhancement module 330Dcommunicates the vehicle datasets to network system 120 via a cellulardata network. In other examples, communication port 410 can directlycommunicate vehicle datasets to network system 120 via network 140. Forexample, communication port 410 can communicate vehicle datasets tonetwork system 120 via a cellular data network.

Turning to FIG. 2, a network system can also include service enhancementmodule 230. Service enhancement module 230 also facilitates enhancetravel service. However, in this case, the service enhancement module230 uses resources located on the network system 120 to facilitatetransport service rather than resources located on client device 110.For example, service enhancement module 230 may leverage vehicledatasets from all of transportation vehicles 130 providing transportservice in environment 100 to enhance transport service. Additionally,in some configuration, service enhancement module 230 can directlyreceive vehicle datasets from a transportation vehicle via a network.That is, the transportation vehicle 130 need not interface with clientdevice 110 to transmit a vehicle dataset to network system 120 vianetwork 140.

Herein, for convenience, when functionality of service enhancementmodule 230 of network system 120 and functionality of serviceenhancement module 330 of client device 110 is similar, for convenience,service enhancement module 230 and service enhancement module 330 may bereferred to in aggregate as service enhancement module 230/330.

Service enhancement module 230/330 leverages vehicle datasets to enhancetransport service between service providers and service requestors bycommunicating vehicle datasets between elements in environment 100. Thefollowing description provides several examples of how a serviceenhancement module 230/330 facilitates enhanced transport service bycommunicating vehicle datasets between client device 110, network system120, and transportation vehicle 130.

III. Methods for Enhancing Transport Service with Vehicle Datasets

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a process flow for a method 600 forenhancing a transport service by communicating vehicle datasets in anenvironment 100, according to one example embodiment. In variousembodiments, method 600 can include additional or fewer steps or thesteps may be accomplished in other orders. Further, in variousembodiments, method 600 can repeat any of the steps, or any series ofsteps, at any time.

To begin, a service provider initializes 610 application 310 on aservice provider client device 110B to coordinate transport service inan environment 100. The service provider is operating a transportationvehicle 130 capable of generating and receiving vehicle datasets via acommunication port 410. The service provider client device 110B includesan application 310 with a service enhancement module 330 thatcommunicates vehicle datasets with the transportation vehicle 130 usingcommunication port 410. The network system includes a serviceenhancement module 230. The service requestor transmits a transportservice request to network system 120.

Service enhancement module 230/330 enhances 620 transport service usingvehicle datasets. Enhancing transport service at step 620 is describedin detail below.

Network system 120 transmits an assignment for the transport service tothe service provider client device 110B. The service provider receives630 and accepts the assignment for the transport service. Here, theassignment is to provide transport service to the service requestor froma pickup location to a destination location along a route. The serviceprovider operates transportation vehicle 130 to move towards the pickuplocation.

Service enhancement module 230/330 enhances transport service usingvehicle datasets. Enhancing transport service at step 640 is describedin detail below.

Transportation vehicle 130 arrives at the pickup location and theservice requestor enters the transportation vehicle 130. The serviceprovider provides 650 transport service to the service requestor fromthe pickup location to the destination location along the route.

Service enhancement module 230/330 enhances transport service usingvehicle datasets. Enhancing transport service at step 660 is describedin detail below.

The service provider concludes 670 transport service when thetransportation vehicle 130 arrives at the destination location and theservice requestor exits the transportation vehicle 130. At this pointthe service enhancement module 330 can again enhance transport service.

In method 600, enhancing transport service can use service enhancementmodule 330 of client device 110 or service enhancement module 230 ofnetwork system 120. Further the method 600 may enhance transport serviceusing vehicle datasets at any of steps 620, 640, and/or 660. In someexamples, service enhancement module 330 may enhance transport serviceat other times or multiple times. Alternatively or additionally, serviceenhancement module 330 may enhance transport service at one step whilenot enhancing transport service at another step.

III.A Example Pre-Assignment Transport Service Enhancements

In some examples, service enhancement module 230/330 can enhance 620transport service after a service provider initializes transport serviceand before a service provider receives a transport service request,i.e., a pre-assignment transport service enhancement.

FIG. 7 is an interaction diagram 700 illustrating a pre-assignmenttransport service enhancement between a service provider, a servicerequestor, and a network system 120 as they execute method 600. In thisexample, William and Erin are each operating a client device 110 withapplication 310 configured to coordinate transport service betweenservice providers and service requestors. Here, William is a servicerequestor and uses his service requestor client device 110A to requesttransport service from service providers. Erin is a service provider anduses her service provider client device 110B to coordinate providingtransport service to service requestors using transportation vehicle130. Erin's transportation vehicle 130 is configured to communicatevehicle datasets via a communication port 410. In this example, Erincouples an interface device 430 (e.g., a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver)to communication port 410 such that her client device 110 cancommunicate vehicle datasets with transportation vehicle 130 whenproviding transport service.

Erin initializes application 310 on her client device and beginsproviding transport service in an area. Service enhancement module 330of Erin's client device 110B requests 702 a vehicle dataset frominterface device 430. In response, interface device 430 accesses 704 avehicle dataset from transportation vehicle 130. In this case, thevehicle dataset includes information regarding the amount of gas storedin the gas tank of Erin's transportation vehicle 130. Interface device430 provides 706 the vehicle dataset to Erin's service provider clientdevice 110B and Erin's service provider client device 110B provides 708the vehicle dataset to network system 120. Other service providers inthe area provide similar vehicle datasets to network system 120.

William initializes application 310 and requests 710 transport servicefrom network system 120 using his service requestor client device 110A.The transport service request includes a pickup location and adestination location.

Network system 120 receives the transport service request and determinesa set of providers that can provide transport service to William usingthe vehicle datasets received from the service providers. In thisexample, William's transport service covers a long distance and wouldrequire a large amount of gas. Service enhancement module 230 of networksystem 120 determines, based on the vehicle dataset, that Erin'stransportation vehicle 130 has enough gas to travel to the pickuplocation from her current location and provide transport service forWilliam from the pickup location to the destination location withouthaving to stop for additional fuel. As such, network system 120 selectsErin as the service provider for William.

Network system 120 transmits 712 a transport service assignment toErin's service provider client device 110 and Erin accepts theassignment. The assignment indicates that Erin provide transport serviceto William from the pickup location to the destination location. Theassignment, in one embodiment, also provides a route for Erin to travelfrom her current location to the pickup location and from the pickuplocation to the destination location.

After receiving the transport service assignment, Erin travels from hercurrent location to the pickup location along the route. Once arrivingat the pickup location, William enters Erin's transportation vehicle130. Erin then provides 714 transport service for William from thepickup location to the destination location along the route. Afterarriving at the destination location, William exits the transportationvehicle 130 and Erin concludes the transport service. Erin's serviceprovider client device again requests 702 a vehicle dataset frominterface device 430, receives a vehicle dataset from the transportationvehicle 130 in response, and transmits the vehicle dataset to networksystem 120. In this manner network system 120 is continually informed ofthe amount of gas in Erin's transportation vehicle 130 and networksystem 120 may not assign her a transport service that requires more gasthan is available in her transportation vehicle 130.

The aforementioned pre-assignment transport service enhancement is onlyan example. In various other configurations, service enhancement module230/330 may use any information included in a vehicle dataset to enhancea transport service after a service requestor requests transport serviceand before a service provider receives a transport service assignment.The following examples illustrate other instances of a pre-assignmenttransport service enhancements. Each example includes a name of theenhancement, possible information included in the vehicle dataset, adevice on which device the transport service enhancement can occur, anda brief description of the transport service enhancement. These examplesare not intended to be an exhaustive list of pre-assignment transportservice enhancements. Generally, a pre-assignment transport service isany transport service that is enhanced using a vehicle dataset obtainedfrom a transportation vehicle 130 before a service provider accepts atransport service assignment.

Example A1: Appropriate Vehicle Size

Vehicle Dataset Information: Vehicle make, vehicle model, passengerspresent

Device: Network system 120

Description: Network system 120 receives a transport service requestfrom a service requestor for a transport service. The service requestincludes a number of passengers that require a seat in thetransportation vehicle 130 for the transport service. In this example,service enhancement module 230 accesses vehicle datasets including thevehicle make, vehicle model, and passengers present for transportationvehicles 130 operating in the environment 100. Service enhancementmodule 230 determines a transportation vehicle 130 with a sufficientnumber of available passenger spaces to provide transport service to theservice requestor based on information in the vehicle datasets. Networksystem 120 assigns the service provider operating the determinedtransportation vehicle the transport service. This example can alsofunction in a “transport service sharing” mode in which a singletransportation vehicle 130 can provide transport service to multipleservice requestors simultaneously. In this case, a service provider isonly assigned additional service requestors when the transportationvehicle 130 includes sufficient passenger seating.

Example A2: Appropriate Storage Space

Vehicle Dataset Information: Vehicle make, vehicle model

Device: Network system 120

Description: Network system 120 receives a transport service requestfrom a service requestor for a transportation vehicle 130. The transportservice request includes a number of items of luggage to be transported.In this example, service enhancement module 230 accesses vehicledatasets including the vehicle make and vehicle model. Each vehicle makeand model has an associated amount of storage space for items ofluggage. Service enhancement module 230 determines a transportationvehicle 130 with a sufficient amount of storage space for items ofluggage to provide transport service to the service requestor based onthe information in the vehicle dataset. Network system 120 assigns theservice requestor operating the determined transportation vehicle thetransport service. This example can also function in a “transportservice sharing mode” in which a single transportation vehicle 130 canprovide transport to multiple service requestors simultaneously. In thiscase, a service provider will only be assigned additional servicerequestors when the transportation vehicle 130 includes sufficientstorage space for any additional luggage.

Example A3: Maintenance Notifications

Vehicle Dataset Information: Oil life, oil pressure, fuel level, tirepressure, battery voltage, etc.

Device: Client device 110

Description: A service provider initializes the transport serviceapplication 310 to begin providing transport service to servicerequestors. The service provider's client device 110B accesses a vehicledataset from transportation vehicle 130. In this example, the vehicledataset includes information indicating that the operational state oftransportation vehicle 130 is not suitable for providing a high-leveltransport service. For example, the transportation vehicle 130 may havelow tire pressure, poor oil life, a low fuel level, etc. In response,service enhancement module 330 displays a notification on the serviceprovider client device 110B indicating that improvements to thetransportation vehicle 130 are necessary to provide transport service.In some examples, service enhancement module 330 can access networksystem 120 to obtain recommended sites in close proximity to improve theoperational states of transportation vehicle 130 (e.g., mechanics, gasstations, etc.).

Example A4: Vehicle Confirmation

Vehicle Dataset Information: Vehicle identification number, vehiclemake, vehicle model

Device: Network system 120

Description: A service provider initializes application 310 to beginproviding transport service to service requestors. In this example,network system 120 associates each service provider with any of avehicle identification number of a particular transportation vehicle130, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model. Service provider client device110B accesses a vehicle dataset from transportation vehicle 130. Here,the vehicle dataset includes information including a vehicleidentification number, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model. Serviceprovider client device 110B transmits the vehicle dataset to networksystem 120. In response, service enhance module 230 of network system120 determines if the transportation vehicle 130 that the serviceprovider is operating is the transportation vehicle 130 associated withthe service provider. For example, a transportation vehicle 130associated with a particular service provider is a Honda Fit. However,the received vehicle dataset indicates that the transportation vehicle130 the service provider is operating is a Nissan Altima. In response,network system 120 does not assign the service provider transportservice requests. Further, network system 120 transmits a notificationto service provider client device 110B that they will be unable toprovide transport service in their current transportation vehicle 130.

Example A5: Usage Threshold

Vehicle Dataset Information: Vehicle speed, true odometer, engine load

Device: Network system 120, client device 110

Description: A service provider initializes transport serviceapplication 310 to begin providing transport service to servicerequestors. The service provider client device 110B accesses a vehicledataset from transportation vehicle 130. In this example, the vehicledataset includes information including vehicle speed, true odometer, andengine load. In particular, the vehicle dataset includes informationthat the vehicle has been operated substantially continuously for thepast 15 hours. Service enhancement module 230/330 determines that theservice provider may be operating transportation vehicle 130 while inneed of rest based on the vehicle dataset. In response, service providerclient device 110B displays a notification encouraging the serviceprovider to take a break from providing transport service. In otherexamples, if the vehicle dataset indicates that the transportationvehicle 130 has been operating substantially continuously for more thana threshold amount of time, network system may not assign the serviceprovider to provide transport service to service requestors until theservice provider takes a break.

Example A6: Efficient Assignments

Vehicle Dataset Information: Fuel economy

Device: Network system 120

Description: Service requestor client device 110A transmits a transportservice request to network system 120. Network system 120 receivesvehicle datasets from a number of service provider client devices 110Boperating in the area. The vehicle datasets include informationregarding how efficiently a transportation vehicle 130 is operating.Service enhancement module 230 determines an efficiency score for eachof the service providers capable of providing the transport serviceusing the vehicle datasets. The efficiency score is a quantification ofhow efficient a transportation vehicle 130 can be when travelling fromtheir current location to the pickup location (or destination location)of the transport service. For example, a first service provider may haveto travel up a steep incline for four miles to reach the pickup locationwhile a second service provider may have to travel down an incline forthree miles to reach the pickup location. In this case, the serviceenhancement module 230 determines that the first service provider has ahigher efficiency score than the second service provider despite beingfurther away and at a lower elevation. Service enhancement module 230determines a higher efficiency score for the first service providerbecause the first service provider operates a transportation vehicle 130that achieves a higher fuel efficiency than the transportation vehicleoperated by the second service provider. As such, network system 120assigns the transport service to the first service provider. In somecases, service enhancement module 330 may determine an efficiency scorefor a transportation vehicle 130 and transmit the efficiency score tonetwork system 120.

In some examples, an efficiency score can be based on the transactioncost of the transport service. For example, if a provider has a highlyfuel-efficient transportation vehicle, but the route for that providerwould cause a much larger transaction cost, the efficiency score may below. In some alternative example, a transaction cost can be based on thedetermined efficiency score. For example, a transaction cost may beadjusted higher or lower based on how efficiently a provider is able toprovide transport service. Further service enhancement module 330 candetermine and suggest operational states for a transportation vehiclebased on an efficiency score.

III.B Example in-Route Transport Service Enhancements

In some examples, service enhancement module 330 can enhance 640transport service after a service provider accepts an assignment andbefore a service provider begins transport service, i.e., an in-routetransport service enhancement.

FIG. 8 is an interaction diagram 800 illustrating an in-route transportservice enhancement between a service provider, a service requestor, andnetwork system 120 as they execute method 600. In this example, Williamand Erin are again acting as service requestor and service provider,respectively. Here, Erin's service provider client device 110Bcommunicates with transportation vehicle 130 via a local wirelessnetwork 140 and communication port 410 regulates those communications.

Erin initializes application 310 on her service provider client device110B and begins providing transport service in an area. Williaminitializes application 310 on his service requestor client device 110Aand requests 802 transport service from network system 120. Thetransport service request includes a pickup location and a destinationlocation. In this example, William's transport service request alsoprovides 804 a vehicle dataset that includes a set of preferredoperational states (“rider vehicle dataset”). The set of preferredoperational states are operational states that William prefers whenusing a transport service such as, for example, a temperature of thetransportation vehicle 130 interior, a radio station, a recliningposition of a seat, a retraction level of a window, etc. Similarly,Erin's service provider client device 110B includes a vehicle datasetthat includes a set of preferred operational states (“provider vehicledataset”) for Erin that are stored on device datastore 340. When notproviding a transport service to a service requestor, transportationvehicle 130 implements the provider vehicle dataset unless otherwiseinstructed. Additionally or alternatively, transportation vehicle 130may implement the provider vehicle dataset when the provider preferencesconflict with the requestor preferences.

Network system 120 transmits 806 a transport service assignment toErin's service provider client device 110B indicating that Erin providetransport service to William from the pickup location to the destinationlocation using transportation vehicle 130. The transport serviceassignment also provides a route for Erin to travel from her currentlocation to the pickup location and from the pickup location to thedestination location.

As Erin approaches the pickup location in transportation vehicle 130,network system 120 transmits 808 the rider vehicle dataset to Erin'sservice provider client device 110B. Erin's service provider clientdevice 110B transmits 810 the rider vehicle dataset to thetransportation vehicle 130 via the communication port 410 regulating thelocal wireless network 140. In some examples, the rider vehicle datasetcan be transmitted directly from network system 120 to transportationvehicle 130 without Erin's service provider client device 110B relayingthe information. In other examples, William's service requestor clientdevice 110A can transmit the rider vehicle dataset to the local wirelessnetwork 140 when Erin's transportation vehicle 130 approaches the pickuplocation.

Transportation vehicle 130 implements the rider vehicle dataset beforeWilliam enters the transportation vehicle 130 and Erin begins thetransport service. For example, the transportation vehicle 130 maychange the radio station from a National Public Radio station to a lightrock station and change the temperature from 76° F. to 74° F. accordingto William's preferred operational states. Similarly, the transportationvehicle 130 may implement the rider vehicle dataset after William entersthe transportation vehicle 130 and the transport service begins.

Erin then provides 812 transport service for William from the pickuplocation to the destination location along the route usingtransportation vehicle 130. After arriving at the destination location,William exits transportation vehicle 130 and Erin concludes thetransport service.

After concluding the transport service, Erin's service provider clientdevice 110B transmits 814 a provider vehicle dataset to thetransportation vehicle 130 via communication port 410 regulating thelocal wireless network 140. In response, the transportation vehicle 130implements Erin's preferred operational states. In some cases, ratherthan transmitting a provider vehicle dataset to transportation vehicle130, Erin's service provider client device 110B can indicate totransportation vehicle 130 to implement vehicle settings stored onvehicle datastore 420.

Again, the aforementioned in-route transport service enhancement is onlyan example. In various other configurations, a service enhancementmodule 330 may use any information included in a vehicle dataset toenhance a transport service after a service requestor accepts anassignment and before a service provider provides transport service.Similar to Section III.A, some example in-route transport serviceenhancements are provided.

Example B1: Trip-Estimates

Vehicle Dataset Information: True odometer, fuel economy, accelerometer,vehicle speed, etc.

Device: Client device 110, network system 120

Description: While moving towards a starting point for a trip, a serviceprovider client device accesses a vehicle dataset from transportationvehicle 130. The vehicle dataset includes information regardingoperational states of transportation vehicle that can be used toestimate the profitability of an assigned transport service for aservice provider. For example, the vehicle dataset can include theodometer information, fuel economy, vehicle speed, and accelerometer.Service enhancement module 230/330 determines an expected profitabilityfor a transport service based on the received route and informationincluded in vehicle dataset. For example, a trip for a transport serviceis five miles long and significant portions of the route that are uphilland include stop-lights. As such, service enhancement module 230/330predicts that the expected profitability for the trip is $15.43 based onthe fuel economy of the transportation vehicle and the expectedtransaction cost for the transport service. Service enhancement module230/330 can also predict that the expected profitability of the trip ismore or less than other service providers providing a transport servicealong a similar route. In this case, service enhancement module 230/330can generate notifications for display on service provider client device110B on methods to improve profitability for the trip (e.g., speeds,acceleration profiles, etc.).

Example B2: Transportation Vehicle Verification

Vehicle Dataset Information: Vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicleidentification number, interior lights, etc.

Device: Client device 110, network system 120

Description: While driving towards a starting point for a trip, serviceenhancement module 230 of network system 120 provides a vehicle datasetto a service requestor waiting at the starting point. The vehicledataset includes operational states that allows a service requestor toverify that they are approaching a transportation vehicle 130 operatedby a service provider that has been assigned to them. For example, theprovided vehicle dataset can include a vehicle identification number, aninterior light setting, and a credential for communication port 410. Inthis example, once a transportation vehicle 130 that has been assignedto a service requestor arrives at the pickup location, the servicerequestor approaches the transportation vehicle. The service requestorinteracts with their service requestor client device 110A and serviceenhancement module 330 transmits the received vehicle dataset totransportation vehicle 130. In response to receiving the vehicledataset, transportation vehicle 130 changes the color of the interiorlighting (e.g., green) to indicate to the service requestor that theyare approaching the correct transportation vehicle. In some cases,communication port 410 can verify that the received vehicle dataset isintended for transportation vehicle 130 based on the vehicleidentification number included in the vehicle dataset. In a counterexample, if the service requestor approaches an incorrect transportationvehicle 130, transportation vehicle 130 can change the color of theinterior lighting (e.g., red) to indicate to the service requestor thatthey approaching an incorrect transportation vehicle 130.

Example B3: Ingress Facilitation

Vehicle Dataset Information: Vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicleidentification number, remote door locks, remote trunk locks

Device: Client device 110, network system 120

Description: Network system 120 assigns a service provider to providetransport service to a service requestor from a pickup location to adestination location along a route using transportation vehicle 130.When transportation vehicle 130 approaches the pickup location, serviceenhancement module 230/330 provides a vehicle dataset to transportationvehicle 130. The vehicle dataset causes transportation vehicle 130 toautomatically unlock the doors of transportation vehicle 130 such thatthe service provider can easily enter transportation vehicle 130. Insome examples, the vehicle dataset that unlocks doors is received fromthe service requestor client device 110A waiting at the pickup locationas transportation vehicle 130 approaches. In some cases, serviceenhancement module 330 can determine which door(s) to unlock based onthe location of transportation vehicle 130 and the location of theservice requestor. In still other examples, the vehicle dataset canunlock the trunk if the service requestor indicates that they have apiece of luggage for the transport service. Similarly, vehicle datasetscan be used to facilitate egress from transportation vehicle 130 in asimilar manner.

III.C Example On-Trip Transport Service Enhancements

In some examples, service enhancement module 330 can enhance 660transport service after a service provider begins providing transportservice to a service requestor and before a service provider concludesproviding transport service to a service requestor, i.e., an on-triptransport service enhancement.

FIG. 9 is an interaction diagram 900 illustrating an on-trip transportservice enhancement between a service provider, a service requestor, anda network system 120 as they execute method 600. In this example,William and Erin are again acting as a service requestor and serviceprovider, respectively. Erin's service provider client device 110B isdirectly connected to communication port 410 to communicate vehicledatasets. Again, Erin has a provider vehicle dataset and William has arider vehicle dataset. William's rider vehicle dataset is stored onsystem datastore 220. In particular, the rider vehicle dataset includesa threshold over-velocity. That is, William has indicated a thresholdvelocity over the speed limit he is comfortable travelling. In thisexample, William is not comfortable travelling over the speed limit atany point during transport service.

Erin initializes application 310 on her service provider client device110B and begins providing transport service in an area. Williaminitializes application 310 on his service requestor client device 110Aand requests 902 transport service from network system 120. Thetransport service request includes a pickup location and a destinationlocation. Network system 120 transmits 904 a transport serviceassignment to Erin to provide transport service to William from thepickup location to the destination location. Network system 120 alsotransmits 906 William's rider vehicle dataset. The transport serviceassignment also provides a route for Erin to travel from her currentlocation to the pickup location and from the pickup location to thedestination location.

Erin uses transportation vehicle 130 to travel from her current locationto the pickup location. Once Erin arrives at the pickup location,William enters the transportation vehicle 130, and Erin begins toprovide 908 transport service to William.

As Erin provides 908 transport service for William from the pickuplocation to the destination location along the route, Erin's clientservice provider client device 110B requests 910 a vehicle dataset viacommunication port 410. In response, communication port 410 accesses 912a vehicle dataset from transportation vehicle 130 and provides 914 thevehicle dataset to Erin's service provider client device 110B. In thisexample, the vehicle dataset includes operational states regardingErin's driving characteristics (e.g., braking characteristics, speedcharacteristics, etc.). Service enhancement module 330 of Erin's serviceprovider client device 110B analyzes the vehicle dataset and determinesthat Erin is driving faster than the speed limit along the routecontrary to the information included in William's rider vehicle dataset.In response, service enhancement module 330 encourages Erin to reduceher speed to enhance Williams transport service experience. In someexamples, service enhancement module 330 may also communicate a vehicledataset to transportation vehicle 130 to automatically reduce (or limit)the velocity of transportation vehicle 130 according to informationincluded in the rider vehicle dataset. Service enhancement module 230 ofthe network system 120 can provide similar functionality.

Erin arrives at the destination location, William exits thetransportation vehicle 130, and Erin concludes the transport service.

As a more specific example, the route from the pickup location to thedestination location includes a road segment along a highway with aspeed limit of 65 mph. When moving with the flow of traffic, the speedof transportation vehicle 130 reaches 68 mph. Erin's service providerclient device 110B accesses a vehicle dataset including thetransportation vehicle 130's current velocity. Service enhancementmodule 330 determines that Erin is travelling faster than the speedlimit of the highway, contrary to the information provided in the ridervehicle dataset. In response, service enhancement module 330 displays anon-screen indication on Erin's service provider client device 110B toreduce her speed to enhance William's transport service experience.

Again, the aforementioned on-trip transport service enhancement is onlyan example. In various other configurations, a service enhancementmodule 330 may use any information included in a vehicle dataset toenhance a transport service while a service provider provides transportservice to a service provider. Similar to section III.A, some exampleon-trip transport service enhancements are provided.

Example C1: On-Trip Enhancement Notifications

Vehicle Dataset Information: True odometer, accelerator pressure, brakepressure, fuel economy, tire pressure, accelerometer, vehicle speed,etc.

Device: Client device 110

Description: While on a trip, a service provider client device accessesa vehicle dataset from transportation vehicle 130. The vehicle datasetincludes information regarding operational states of transportationvehicle that can be monitored and improved to enhance travel service. Inone example, the vehicle dataset includes brake pressure and fueleconomy of transportation vehicle 130. Service enhancement module 330determines that transportation vehicle 130 is not operating in afuel-efficient manner and that the brake pressure is too high, toooften. That is, a service provider is hard-breaking too often whileproviding transport service. Service enhancement module 330 determinesthat reducing the amount of hard-breaking while providing transportservice would increase the fuel efficiency of transportation vehicle130. As such, service enhancement module 330 displays a notification ona service provider client device 110B encouraging the service provideroperating transportation vehicle 130 to modify her drivingcharacteristics. In another example, the vehicle dataset includesinformation regarding seatbelts and whether or not passengers arepresent in each seat. Here, service enhancement module 330 determinesthat a seat including a passenger does not have a buckled seatbelt. Inresponse, service enhancement module 330 displays a notification on theservice provider client device 110B as to which passengers do not havebuckled seatbelts. The service provider asks the passengers indicated bythe notification to buckle their seatbelts.

Example C2: Rider Vehicle Modifications

Vehicle Dataset Information: Radio station, air condition, seatposition, window position, etc.

Device: Client device 110

Description: While on a trip, network system 120 provides anauthentication key for communication port 410 to a service requestorbeing transported by a service provider in transportation vehicle 130.The authentication key allows the service requestor client device 110Ato communicate vehicle datasets with transportation vehicle 130 while onthe trip. In this example, application 310 is configured to allow aservice requestor to control operational states of transportationvehicle 130 by providing vehicle datasets to transportation vehicle 130.For example, a service requestor may provide a vehicle dataset thatchanges the position of their seat, changes the air conditioner setting,or changes the radio station, etc. Further, application 310 of a servicerequestor client device 110A is configured to display settings that canbe controlled by the service requestor while on a trip. So, for example,application 310 can display a radio tuner that allows a servicerequestor to input a radio station setting. Service enhancement module330 generates and transmits a vehicle dataset to transportation vehicle130 that tunes the radio station of transportation vehicle 130 to theradio station selected by the service requestor.

Example C3: Automated Emergency Dispatch

Vehicle Dataset Information: Velocity, accelerometer, air bags, etc.

Device: Client device 110

Description: While on a trip, a service provider operatingtransportation vehicle 130 is rear-ended by another driver. Serviceprovider client device 110B accesses a vehicle dataset includinginformation indicating that transportation vehicle 130 has been in anaccident. For example, the vehicle dataset can include informationregarding a sudden change in velocity, or that an airbag has beendeployed. As such, service enhancement module 330 determines thattransportation vehicle 130 has been in an accident and automaticallycontacts emergency services using network 140.

III.D Example Post-Trip Transport Service Enhancements

In some examples, service enhancement module 230/330 can enhancetransport service after a service provider concludes transport serviceand before a service provider accepts a new transport serviceassignment, i.e., a post-trip transport service enhancement. Post-triptransport service enhancements can function similarly to the interactiondiagram of FIG. 7, but may be used to enhance a transport service in adifferent manner. As such, a thorough example will not be explicitlydescribed. However, several examples of a service enhancement module 330providing post-trip transport service enhancement are provided.

Example D1: Odometer Verification

Vehicle Dataset Information: Velocity, odometer, etc.

Device: Network system 120

Description: In some cases, network system 120 may inaccuratelydetermine a number of miles travelled by a service provider whenproviding a transport service. For example, in a large city with tallbuildings, telematics data can be prone to error because of thebuildings interfering with GPS signals. After concluding transportservice, transportation vehicle 130 generates a vehicle datasetincluding operational states that can be used to validate telematicsdata for the trip. For example, the vehicle dataset can include odometerinformation such that service enhancement module 230 can determine thatthe miles travelled as indicated by the telematics data matches themiles travelled as indicated by the vehicle dataset. Verifying the milestravelled allows network system 120 to more accurately determine thetransaction cost for the provided transport service. Similarly,verifying the miles travelled allows network system 120 to preventservice providers from spoofing GPS information to unfairly inflatetransaction costs.

Example D2: True Cost Transaction Costs

Vehicle Dataset Information: Velocity, odometer, fuel efficiency, brakepressure, ambient temperature, etc.

Device: Network system 120

Description: In some cases, a number of miles travelled on a trip or anamount of time travelled on a trip may not accurately reflect the truecost of the trip for the service provider (e.g., engine wear, decreasedfuel efficiency, etc.). Service enhancement module 230 can leveragevehicle datasets to determine a true cost of a transport service for aservice provider. For example, after concluding transport service,transportation vehicle generates a vehicle dataset including informationthat can more accurately indicate the true cost of providing thetransport service. The vehicle dataset may indicate that a trip was up asubstantial incline, in stop-and-go traffic, or in harsh weatherconditions. As such, service enhancement module 230 may determine anadjusted transaction cost based on the received vehicle dataset thatmore accurately reflects the cost of the trip to the service provider.For example, if the fuel efficiency for a trip was very low because theambient temperature outside transportation vehicle was very low, serviceenhancement module 330 may increase the transaction cost for the servicerequestor accordingly.

III.E Other Example Transport Service Enhancements

Service enhancement module 330 can enhance transport service at any timeduring method 600. Further, any process described in any enhancingtransport service can be used at any time and in any combination.

Example E1: Service Provider Verification

Vehicle Dataset Information: Velocity, accelerometer, brake pressure,etc.

Device: Network system 120

Description: Network system 120 stores a service provider profile insystem datastore 220. Each service provider profile includes a set ofservice provider driving characteristics that describe how the serviceprovider operates a transportation vehicle 130 associated with theservice provider client device 110B. For example, the service providerprofile may include average velocity, average hard braking, accelerationprofiles, etc. of a service provider while they provide transportservice to a service requestor using transportation vehicle 130. Assuch, vehicle datasets received from transportation vehicle 130 can beused to verify that the operator of transportation vehicle 130 is theservice provider associated with transportation vehicle 130. Forexample, the driving characteristics included in a vehicle datasetreceived from a service provider client device 110B providing transportservice using transportation vehicle 130 are dissimilar from the normaldriving characteristics included in vehicle datasets received from theservice provider client device 110B. In this case, service enhancementmodule 230 determines that the current operator of transportationvehicle 130 is likely not the service provider associated withtransportation vehicle 130 and service provider client device 110B.Service enhancement module 330 stops assigning transport service toservice provider client device 110B until the driving characteristics invehicle datasets are similar to the driving characteristics in theservice provider profile. This example can also be used to determine ifa service provider is overly tired, intoxicated, or in some other wayimpaired from providing a high-quality transport service

Example E2: Verified Service Providers

Vehicle Dataset Information: Velocity, accelerometer, brake pressure,etc.

Device: Network system 120

Description: Network system 120 stores a service provider profile insystem datastore 220. Each service provider profile includes anindication as to whether or not a service provider has been verified. Adriver becomes verified once service enhancement module 230 receivesvehicle datasets with sufficient information indicating that the serviceprovider is a safe driver. The information can include velocity,acceleration, mechanical information, etc. For example, a serviceprovider operating a transportation vehicle has a service providerprofile indicating that they are a verified driver. However,transportation vehicle 130 operated by the service provider generatesand transmits a vehicle dataset to network system 120 indicating thatthe tire pressure of transportation vehicle 130 is too low. In response,network system 120 changes the service provider profile from verified tounverified until a vehicle dataset is received indicating the tirepressure is at an adequate level. Network system 120 may use theverified or unverified status of a service provider when determiningwhich service provider to assign a transport service. For example,network system 120 may not assign a transport service to unverifiedservice providers. In another example, a service provider may becomeverified successfully completing safe transport service (e.g., underspeed limit, limited hard breaking, etc.) a threshold number of times.In this case, network system 120 may preferentially assign a transportservice to verified service providers.

Example E3: Earnings Display

Vehicle Dataset Information: Fuel efficiency, maintenance notifications,brake pressure, etc.

Device: Client device 110

Description: Application 310 on a service provider client device 110Acan include a display showing the earnings for the service provider whenproviding transport service. For example, the service provider clientdevice can show the average per-trip earnings of a service provider orthe aggregate earnings of the service provider when providing transportservice. In this example, service enhancement module 330 can accessinformation included in a vehicle dataset to more accurately determinethe earnings of a service provider. For example, vehicle datasets caninclude information describing the fuel efficiency and maintenancenotifications of a transportation vehicle 130 while providing transportservice. In this case, service enhancement module 330 may determineadjusted earnings that more accurately reflect the earnings of a serviceprovider operating transportation vehicle 130. For example, anunadjusted earnings may not reflect the fuel efficiency of atransportation vehicle while the adjusted earning do reflect the fuelefficiency of a transportation vehicle.

Example E4: Tax Preparation

Vehicle Dataset Information: Odometer

Device: Network system 120

Description: In some cases, the distance travelled by a service providerin a transportation vehicle 130 while providing transport service can beused as a tax benefit. In this case, service enhancement module 230 canaccess a vehicle dataset, or aggregate vehicle datasets, to determinethe number of miles travelled by a service provider in a given amount oftime. Service enhancement module can provide the number of milestravelled to the service provider to use for tax purposes.

IV. Example Computer System

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating components of an example machinefor reading and executing instructions from a machine-readable medium.Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of networksystem 120 and client device 110 in the example form of a computersystem 1000. The computer system 1000 can be used to executeinstructions 1024 (e.g., program code or software) for causing themachine to perform any one or more of the methodologies (or processes)described herein. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device or a connected (e.g., networked) device that connectsto other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate inthe capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-clientsystem environment 100, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) system environment 100.

The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a smartphone, aninternet of things (IoT) appliance, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing instructions 1024 (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further,while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute instructions 1024 to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1000 includes one or more processing units(generally processor 1002). The processor 1002 is, for example, acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a state machine, one ormore application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or moreradio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), or any combination ofthese. The computer system 1000 also includes a main memory 1004. Thecomputer system may include a storage unit 1016. The processor 1002,memory 1004, and the storage unit 1016 communicate via a bus 1008.

In addition, the computer system 1000 can include a static memory 1006,a graphics display 1010 (e.g., to drive a plasma display panel (PDP), aliquid crystal display (LCD), or a projector). The computer system 1000may also include alphanumeric input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard), acursor control device 1014 (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, amotion sensor, or other pointing instrument), a signal generation device1018 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 1020, which alsoare configured to communicate via the bus 1008.

The storage unit 1016 includes a machine-readable medium 1022 on whichis stored instructions 1024 (e.g., software) embodying any one or moreof the methodologies or functions described herein. For example, theinstructions 1024 may include the functionalities of modules of thesystem 120 described in FIG. 1. The instructions 1024 may also reside,completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1004 or withinthe processor 1002 (e.g., within a processor's cache memory) duringexecution thereof by the computer system 1000, the main memory 1004 andthe processor 1002 also constituting machine-readable media. Theinstructions 1024 may be transmitted or received over a network 1026(e.g., network 140) via the network interface device 1020.

While machine-readable medium 1022 is shown in an example embodiment tobe a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be takento include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to storethe instructions 1024. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also betaken to include any medium that is capable of storing instructions 1024for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform anyone or more of the methodologies disclosed herein. The term“machine-readable medium” includes, but not be limited to, datarepositories in the form of solid-state memories, optical media, andmagnetic media.

V. Additional Configurations

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedisclosure.

Some portions of this description describe the embodiments of theinvention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations ofoperations on information. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are commonly used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to convey the substance of their work effectively toothers skilled in the art. These operations, while describedfunctionally, computationally, or logically, are understood to beimplemented by computer programs or equivalent electrical circuits,microcode, or the like. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient attimes, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules, withoutloss of generality. The described operations and their associatedmodules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or anycombinations thereof.

Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may beperformed or implemented with one or more hardware or software modules,alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, asoftware module is implemented with a computer program product includinga computer-readable non-transitory medium containing computer programcode, which can be executed by a computer processor for performing anyor all of the steps, operations, or processes described.

Embodiments of the invention may also relate to a product that isproduced by a computing process described herein. Such a product mayinclude information resulting from a computing process, where theinformation is stored on a non-transitory, tangible computer readablestorage medium and may include any embodiment of a computer programproduct or other data combination described herein.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principallyselected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not havebeen selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited notby this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on anapplication based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodimentsof the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, ofthe scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing an operational state of atransportation vehicle during a travel service, the method comprising:receiving an assignment to provide a transport service to a servicerequestor from a starting location to an ending location using atransportation vehicle operated by service provider at a currentlocation; responsive to the transportation vehicle approaching thestarting location, receiving, from a network system and at a clientdevice of a service provider, a requestor vehicle dataset that includesan operational state of the transportation vehicle desired by theservice requestor; and transmitting, from the client device to anon-board diagnostic communication port of the transportation vehicle,the requestor vehicle dataset such that the transportation vehicleimplements the operational state of the vehicle desired by the servicerequestor.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing thetransport service to the service requestor from the starting location tothe ending location along the route using the transportation vehicle;responsive to the transportation vehicle leaving the ending location,accessing, from the client device, a provider vehicle dataset thatinclude an operational state desired by the service provider; andtransmitting, from the client device to an OBDII port of thetransportation vehicle, the provider vehicle dataset such that thetransportation vehicle implements a vehicle setting desired by theservice provider.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the operationalstates included in a provider vehicle dataset are defined by the serviceprovider operating the client device.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe operational states included in a requestor vehicle dataset isdefined by the service requestor operating a client device.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from a client deviceoperated by the service requestor at the pickup location, a requestorvehicle dataset that includes an operational state of the transportationvehicle desired by the service requestor.
 6. The method of claim 5,further comprising: receiving, from the network system at the clientdevice operated by the service requestor, a verification code thatallows the client device operated by the service requestor tocommunicate with the OBDII port of the transportation vehicle.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the operational state in the requestor vehicledataset is any of: a chair state, an air conditioner state, a windowstate, and a radio station state.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein theon-board diagnostic communication port is an OBDII port.
 9. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer programinstructions executable by a processor of a system to perform steps formanaging an operational state of a transportation vehicle during atravel service comprising: receiving an assignment to provide atransport service to a service requestor from a starting location to anending location using a transportation vehicle operated by serviceprovider at a current location; responsive to the transportation vehicleapproaching the starting location, receiving, from a network system andat a client device of a service provider, a requestor vehicle datasetthat includes an operational state of the transportation vehicle desiredby the service requestor; and transmitting, from the client device to anon-board diagnostic communication port of the transportation vehicle,the requestor vehicle dataset such that the transportation vehicleimplements the operational state of the vehicle desired by the servicerequestor.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 9, wherein the computer program instructions are furtherexecutable to perform steps comprising: providing the transport serviceto the service requestor from the starting location to the endinglocation along the route using the transportation vehicle; responsive tothe transportation vehicle leaving the ending location, accessing, fromthe client device, a provider vehicle dataset that include anoperational state desired by the service provider; and transmitting,from the client device to an OBDII port of the transportation vehicle,the provider vehicle dataset such that the transportation vehicleimplements a vehicle setting desired by the service provider.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein theoperational states included in a provider vehicle dataset are defined bythe service provider operating the client device.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the operationalstates included in a requestor vehicle dataset is defined by the servicerequestor operating a client device.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the computerprogram instructions are further executable to perform steps comprising:receiving, from a client device operated by the service requestor at thepickup location, a requestor vehicle dataset that includes anoperational state of the transportation vehicle desired by the servicerequestor.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 13, wherein the computer program instructions are furtherexecutable to perform steps comprising: receiving, from the networksystem at the client device operated by the service requestor, averification code that allows the client device operated by the servicerequestor to communicate with the OBDII port of the transportationvehicle.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 9, wherein the operational state in the requestor vehicle datasetis any of: a chair state, an air conditioner state, a window state, anda radio station state.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the on-board diagnostic communication port isan OBDII port.
 17. A system comprising one or more processors and one ormore memories storing computer program instructions for steps formanaging an operational state of a transportation vehicle during atravel service, the instructions when executed by one or more processorscausing the one or more processors to perform steps including: receivingan assignment to provide a transport service to a service requestor froma starting location to an ending location using a transportation vehicleoperated by service provider at a current location; responsive to thetransportation vehicle approaching the starting location, receiving,from a network system and at a client device of a service provider, arequestor vehicle dataset that includes an operational state of thetransportation vehicle desired by the service requestor; andtransmitting, from the client device to an on-board diagnosticcommunication port of the transportation vehicle, the requestor vehicledataset such that the transportation vehicle implements the operationalstate of the vehicle desired by the service requestor.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the computer program instructions are furtherexecutable to perform steps comprising: providing the transport serviceto the service requestor from the starting location to the endinglocation along the route using the transportation vehicle; responsive tothe transportation vehicle leaving the ending location, accessing, fromthe client device, a provider vehicle dataset that include anoperational state desired by the service provider; and transmitting,from the client device to an OBDII port of the transportation vehicle,the provider vehicle dataset such that the transportation vehicleimplements a vehicle setting desired by the service provider.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the operational states included in aprovider vehicle dataset are defined by the service provider operatingthe client device.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the operationalstates included in a requestor vehicle dataset is defined by the servicerequestor operating a client device.